FALLEN ANGEL by Jess Michaels: London, 1815. John Valentine, former Bow Street runner, has been hired by Annabella Nichols, proprietor of an underground sex club. Someone is threatening to kill her. But in order to protect her and find out who's trying to kill her, she and Valentine must appear to be lovers. For the charade to seem true, they decide to make it reality. Valentine finds himself falling in love with Annabella, but the lady is keeping secrets from him. And how can he love her if he can't trust her?

PARLOR GAMES by Leda Swan: Sarah Chesham is an out- of-work seamstress, down to her last few pennies. While having a ha'penny cup of coffee, she asks if any work is available at the establishment. A pretty, yet naive daughter of a curate, she takes the job offered, hoping to keep her virginity, even though she'll be a Coffee House Girl, one step up from a prostitute. When freelance writer Tom Wilde sees her while at the coffeehouse snooping for a story, he's smitten immediately and is determined to keep her away from the fat, old member of Parliament sniffing after her. Sarah is very attracted to Tom, but no matter how intense her sexual desire gets, she still wants to keep her virginity -- until the Parliament member gets her away from everyone and sets out to rape her.

BORDER LORD by Julia Templeton: Terri Campbell is in Scotland, still reeling from finding her fiancé naked with his secretary. To take her mind off her troubles, she takes a tour of the centuries-old Priory of Grace. Leaving the tour, she enters a legendary locked chamber and encounters someone -- or something -- she doesn't understand. Then she awakens to find she's someone else -- the daughter of a Highland lord in the year 1294 about to be abducted by Brochan Douglas, Laird MacLellan. Brochan kidnaps her to get revenge against her father, who killed his brother. Even though she's struggling to understand how she could become this other person, Terri is extremely attracted to Brochan. And Brochan doesn't count on the immediate connection between them, or the desire that tells him he must have her at all costs. And keep her.

This anthology was a hot blast from the past. Steamy plots, erotic scenes and very likable characters made it a fast, fun read. Each story was the perfect length for a break from the humdrum of everyday life. And who knew the men and women from long ago engaged in such shocking manners! Very intense sexual situations. I enjoyed it a lot -- a good read.